In recognition of the American Diabetes Association’s American Diabetes Alert, the Silver Cross Diabetes Center, Walgreens and Joliet Noon Lions Club will offer free screenings to detect diabetes on Tuesday, March 25 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. outside Silver Cross Hospital’s Season’s Dining Room, 1900 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Participants will be offered a Diabetes Risk Test and Blood Glucose Test. For more information, call (815) 300-5990.

The American Diabetes Alert is an annual nationwide campaign to raise awareness that diabetes is a complex, serious and increasingly common disease affecting more than 24.6 million Americans. Diabetes can cause blindness, which is a devastating disease the Lions Clubs around the world are working to prevent. By partnering with Silver Cross, the area’s most comprehensive diabetes management program, the two hope to work together to prevent individuals in the community from these chronic diseases.

Diabetes is a silent disease and if left untreated can harm your eyes, heart, nerves and kidneys just by having too much sugar in the bloodstream. The risk factors for diabetes increase with age and weight gain. Diabetes is more common in African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders. Those who are at risk have high blood pressure, a family history of diabetes or have delivered a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth. Most people with diabetes do not notice any symptoms. However, if you are constantly thirsty, urinate frequently or lose weight without trying, you should see a physician.

“Many patients learn for the first time that they have diabetes while in the hospital,” says Patsy Harris, RN, Silver Cross Diabetes Center Program Manager. “Last year, 25 percent of our inpatients had a primary or secondary diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. By diagnosing diabetes early, we can help our patients manage the disease and keep them out of the hospital and have a fulfilling healthier and active lifestyle.”

The Silver Cross Diabetes Center is one of the area’s first American Diabetes Association’s recognized quality comprehensive diabetes management program. Since 1996, the Diabetes Center has helped more than 3,800 patients and frequently provides educational programs and screenings in the community. For more information, call (815) 300-5990.

The Joliet Noon Lions Club is affiliated with Lions Club International, which is a network of 1.3 million men and women in 200 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Known for working to end preventable blindness, Lions participate in a vast variety of projects that are important to their communities such as collecting used hearing aids and eyeglasses for underprivileged people around the world. For more information about the Joliet Noon Lions Club, stop by Silver Cross Hospital during the free Diabetes Screening or visit www.lionsclubs.org.